Electrician

Electrician â€“ Apprenticeships

An Electrician is involved in the installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of various wiring systems and services in domestic, commercial and industrial applications.

The work of an Electrician ranges from wiring of domestic houses, offices and retail units to more complex systems involving instrumentation, process control and maintenance in industrial plants, hospitals and power stations.

Electricians also service, maintain and repair electrical equipment, both domestic and industrial.

Electricians employed by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) engage in electrical power supply and distribution.

Electricians employed by electrical contractors are usually engaged in the installation of lighting, heating and power equipment and the repair of existing equipment and appliances.

Those in industrial employment are generally engaged in the maintenance and repair of factory plant, machinery and generating equipment.

Note: Experience has shown that higher grades of entry than those suggested by SOLAS are preferred for the Electrical Apprenticeship, due to the technical nature of the Electrical trade.

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship courseor
3. Three yearsâ€™ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable

Note: These are the current approvedÂ minimumÂ educational requirementsÂ for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential:

Mathematics

Technology

Technical Drawing/Graphics

Physics

Construction Studies

Note: Experience has shown that higher grades of entry than those suggested by SOLAS are preferred for the Electrical Apprenticeship, due to the technical nature of the Electrical trade.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.

Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifications, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.

Many craftspersons use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.

Following successful completion of your Electrical Apprenticeship you can get an exemption from Year 1 of a Level 8 Electrical Engineering Degree.Â

Did you know …

Qualified Electricians who are finished their Apprenticeship training can immediately earn up to â‚¬43,000 per annum. There is significant demand for Electricians across the Pharmaceutical and Technology sectors. Companies in these areas employ large numbers of Electricians.

The trade is also very transferable across industry sectors as well as being valuable internationally.

For top-level apprentices with a desire to advance, potential career progression routes include:

Site Supervisor

Project Manager

Contracts Manager

For those with entrepreneurial flair, setting up your own business is a desirable next step.